A/N:A big thanks to all my wonderful readers, for taking the time to read my story and your feedback!
This chapter is mostly from Doflamingo's POV so it will go back just a little bit. Lots of dialogue and observations here, so if this is not your cup of tea, then feel free to skip it.
Chapter VIII: Deals & Origins
Most people possess a contrasting duality of some sort. For some, it exists in their personalities, for others, in their actions or lifestyles. For Doflamingo, this contrast was in essence-his status quo. It followed him from birth and shaped him into the man that he was.
Heaven and hell. Reason and Insanity. Loyalty and Betrayal. Honour and Dishonour. They were all a quintessential part of him, facets of his complex nature.
Surprisingly, tonight was one of those rare occasions where he found himself debating which 'facet' to give in to. The "trigger" of his inner debate, stood right before him.
The only living successor to an ancient dynasty; she could be useful, he thought for a moment, waiting for her response. But was that the only thing that piqued his curiosity?
At this point, the long-suffering residents of Mock Town were still cooped up in their homes, and the silence of the town was beginning to feel oppressive even to Doflamingo.
He tightened his grip on her shoulder as he lowered his face to her level, his cheekbone lightly grazed her own. She looked down. Her eyes wouldn't lift up to his level. Fufufu how inexperienced.
Doflamingo caught a hint of jasmine and neroli; these must be the famed perfumes of Alabasta...my how tempting, he sighed.
"What would you like to know?" she asked him suddenly. Finally. Still enamoured with her luxurious scent, he smiled, "How generous of you."
He let go of her shoulder, intentionally letting his fingers touch her soft hair as he moved his hand away. To her credit, Vivi didn't flinch nor budge from her position and continued to look back at him; his azure eyes stared right back into her own. She probably can't tell anyway. He thought amusedly as he adjusted his sunglasses.
"Tell me, do you know why Crocodile is in Alabasta?" he questioned her in a business-like tone.
"Given your connections shouldn't you already know that yourself?" she shot back while adjusting her jacket, slightly exposing her collarbone in the process. Her voice steadied itself again as if bolstered by her evasion of his question with one of her own.
Hmm not bad, she is not short on wit either. But using her looks like this...heh still an amateur.
"I see King Cobra taught you well. Frankly, I always admired the Nefertari Dynasty for its longevity. It's a real shame Crocodile is so keen on having you brought to him..." Doflamingo spoke to her in a lower voice.
Vivi seemed visibly taken aback by his compliment.
"Thank you. My Father does devote a lot of time to my preparation for the throne. He even told me about you when I was little." Vivi replied calmly.
"And what did he tell you?" he was genuinely curious now.
"That you used to be a pirate and the people of Dressrosa had to beg you to be their King. I thought you were amazing. A pirate and a king... travelling the world while taking care of your kingdom. I wanted to... go on adventures like this 'royal pirate' too." She gave him a small smile as she spoke.
Doflamingo almost believed her praise, until he noticed that the warmth of her smile did not reach her eyes at all. Her grey orbs met him with a cold, hard gaze instead.
So she can be a duplicitous, little snake too, reminds me of Rocinante, although she's not as good at lying yet fufufu. It will become second nature soon. Several thousand years of royalty flow through her veins after all.
And the Nefertaris were indeed more ancient than most, if not all, of the Celestial lineages at Mariejois.
Doflamingo lowered his head at this thought, if all goes well he can set his plan into motion very soon.
Law still has the Ope-Ope no mi, but this can secure my network in the long run too. After Kaido makes a move, the Ope-Ope no mi can still be mine. Then no one will stand in my way.
The young Princess pulled her light green jacket tighter around her body as she watched the infamous man ponder something. Her small movement switched his attention back to her.
"Still, you didn't answer my question; you do know about Crocodile's activities in your kingdom. Otherwise, why would you even be on his hit list, to begin with? So answer me again, what is his ultimate objective hm?"
His threatening form loomed over Vivi.
Doflamingo watched as the young woman's cold mask began to crack, he heard her exhale sharply.
"Why are you so fixated on his goals? Are you worried that he will surpass your crimes in Dressrosa? Is this a competition for you?!" Vivi raised her voice as she threw her accusation at him.
No, she's not a good liar. Not even on my brother's level...
Doflamingo laughed at her outburst. He put one leg over the other as he peered down at her. At that moment, he resembled a bird of prey, scanning the ground below for its next target.
"You are a capable spy girl fufu, and it seems that you managed to find dirt on everyone! If you are like this at 18, then it is frightening to think what you can do later on." His omnipresent grin was back again.
He watched her narrow her eyes, ready to fight back like a cornered cat.
"How do you know my age?" she asked him suspiciously.
"I had my people look into your disappearance. They couldn't pinpoint your current whereabouts, well done." He congratulated her in jest.
"Why are you so curious about my family?" She continued her interrogation.
"You said it yourself, Princess. Let's call it a simple curiosity. I heard of Crocodile's business success in Alabasta, and it made me remember something I learned of as a child...your ancestors never moved to Mariejois. They rejected the privileges that come with being a Tenryuubito. I always th-"
"Unlike YOUR ancestors." Vivi bravely interrupted him.
He furrowed his brow at that.
Does she have a death wish? How reckless fufufu...
Jaya cooled substantially at night, and it was beginning to get to him. He looked at the young woman in her white shorts, swirl patterned bustier top and a thin light green jacket. She was hugging her shoulders for warmth, unaware that it emphasised her chest.
He licked his lips.
"You are so impudent Princess, and I'd be more careful if I were you right now. You're playing a very dangerous game here. Although I have to admit, I find your boldness attractive. Extremely so fufufu." He lowered his voice at the last sentence and took off his feather coat and threw it to her.
She managed to catch it right before it landed on the ground.
"Here. Wear it."
"Thank you, but I am not cold," she said quietly.
"I insist. Don't be a fool, you are not dressed for the nights here, and we are not done yet. Wear it." He demanded.
Reluctantly Vivi pulled it over her shoulders, letting it trail off her svelte form.
Her blue hair clashed with the fuchsia coat, but for some odd reason, it pleased him to see her engulfed in it.
It was as though it marked her as his...possession. A potential one that is.
He leaned back further on the crate, letting his gaze roam all over her form. She was completely still in that moment, gauging his every move.
Business and pleasure, I rarely get to combine them like this, he smirked feeling his instincts stir. Oh, he wanted her, she was young, intelligent, willing to stand up for herself even though she was significantly weaker than him.
Her bloodline further increased her appeal, like it was the most natural fit for him. There was something about her that he seldom noticed in other women around him. He couldn't pinpoint whether it was her innocence, courage, feminine allure or a mix of all three.
But business and power always came first for Joker, and no one was important enough for him to change his priorities.
Thus he resumed her "interrogation."
Since you rudely interrupted my previous question..." he frowned, "you better answer me this time: what did Alabasta have that was so precious to your ancestors? I thought the Nefertaris were known for their wisdom, refusing to become Celestial Dragons...seems quite the opposite, won't you agree?"His smile was uncharacteristically absent from his chiselled face.
She let her fingers run through her thick tresses, basked in the moonlight, the turquoise-coloured hair gave her an ethereal appearance.
This time she did not hesitate and took a few steps towards him.
"For a true Nefertari, there is no better place than Alabasta-the cradle of civilisation!" she spoke with a fervour that enthralled him, "Our resilient people, culture, heritage and history ARE greater than any treasures known to mankind!"
So THIS is what that made her join Crocodile's organisation and risk her life?
Unaware of his condescending line of thought, Vivi was fired up.
"That gilded cage of Mariejois, with all its pretentiousness- pales in comparison! It is my duty as a Nefertari, to honour and protect Alabasta, not only in the memory of my ancestors but also because I..." Vivi lifted her chin up at him.
"I LOVE my country and its people. I will do everything in my power to help them!" she concluded passionately.
Surprisingly Doflamingo didn't have the urge to interrupt her speech, something he was prone to do to most people. Nor did he laugh, even though he found her reasoning to be too sentimental for his tastes. It echoed back to a part of his life he wanted to forget...his childhood in the North Blue.
I will need to teach her a valuable lesson...
"I see you have a very idealised opinion of your ancestors and their so-called devotion to your kingdom. The truth is probably a lot simpler and...realistic. I will break it down for you." He tilted his head in her direction.
"The Nefertaris were just as power-hungry as their would-be counterparts in Mariejois. Perhaps even more so, since they clung to that land for thousands of years. They didn't want to share their direct power with others or...there must be something of even greater value in Alabasta. Crocodile probably has an idea on what it could be, which might explain why he is there." Doflamingo thought of the treasure of Mariejois as he spoke.
"You are too young and naive to accept this as the truth Princess." he finished.
His words infuriated her, that much he could tell. Her eyes burned with anger as she bit her lip. It only enticed him further.
The things I could make you do with those lips, he gave her a lascivious grin as his mind conjured even more erotic images.
Ignoring his expression, the young woman succumbed to her rage.
"We don't cling to our power! True power doesn't require force to exist. Anything else is just a weak facade that can crumble at any given moment. No, true power is a gift from the people! My family ruled Alabasta for so long because our people WANTED it!"
This time, however, Doflamingo was on the verge of laughter but Vivi's tirade was not over yet.
"Without our people we are NOTHING. But I suppose this is not something YOU can understand since you took your power by force!" Her breathing was laboured as she practically yelled her last few words.
She did cross the line this time. All traces of his mirth evaporated in an instant.
Before Vivi could even react, Doflamingo grabbed her chin and jerked her face up to towards his own. The force of his abrupt movement reverberated through her body. His coat slipped off her shoulders to the ground.
"You've got a lot to learn girl," he growled.
She winced in pain but did not make a sound, but then his large fingers gently traced her jawline, Vivi looked up at him in surprise and confusion.
"Don't ever act like you are superior to me...Nefertari Vivi. I singled you out for a reason. You don't stand a chance against Crocodile let alone me." he said firmly.
That must have hit a nerve.
She squeezed her eyes shut as Doflamingo watched a tear roll down her face; leaving a shiny wet trail on her pale skin. It reached his fingers. He observed her familiar struggle.
I know that feeling more than you ever will. Long ago he experienced helplessness too, but it only served to magnify his strength in the end. Will it do the same to you?
He let go of her face, "Tell me, what is your plan now?" he asked her quietly.
Wiping away her tears, she answered without hesitation, "Convince the Rebels to give up on this war and unite the Royal Army with them to drive out Baroque Works." her mellifluous voice was under control now.
Not bad in theory...Doflamingo was somewhat impressed by her political acumen.
"And how will you do that? You see, I took what was mine by birthright, Crocodile is no fool and he knows that he will have to try even harder to take over a kingdom that he has no connection to. One wrong move and all your effort will go to waste. Are you prepared to lose everything? " his eyebrows raised questioningly.
"The leader of the Rebel Army is my childhood friend, I am sure that he will believe me, and the rest of the people will do the same eventually. Father's reputation will be restored and everyone will see Crocodile for what he is." she sounded so hopeful in that moment.
"Sounds simple enough. What will you do if your 'friend'..." Doflamingo emphasised the last word, "doesn't believe you?"
"I don't even entertain that thought," Vivi answered coolly, but her lip trembled.
She's so determined and naive fufufu.
Doflamingo stretched his arms and neck before getting up from his improvised seat.
"There is no right or wrong in war, something YOU clearly don't understand." He mocked her passionate outburst from before. "All sides have their own reasons and beliefs to fight, but fixating on that and disregarding reality, like you do, never ends well." He pointed to his two wounded subordinates lying back at the docks.
He turned his back to her as he caught a glimpse of an unconscious Bellamy. "Ideals are a dangerous thing to cling to..." he said thoughtfully. He heard a thud, and turned back, only to see Vivi slump to her knees. Despair was written all over her exquisite features.
"T-then what would you do in my position?" she whispered into the night air.
Good, she is almost ready. He smiled.
"Fufufu, want my advice eh? Well, I wouldn't stop at anything to fulfil my goals." He licked his lips as he walked up to the slumped woman, his body cast a large shadow over her.
"What if I helped you remove Crocodile from Alabasta?" She looked at him in disbelief.
Doflamingo's grin grew wider. "Your Kingdom will be safe and its influence would grow throughout the world like it did in the days gone by. I can make that happen."
The Shichibukai crouched down to her level, Vivi eyed him with distrust.
"What do you expect in return?" she asked him icily.
"Cutting straight to business fufu...a worthy daughter of a wise King." He reached out his hand and placed it on her shoulder again, his face edged closer to hers. He caught a glimpse of panic in her eyes but they never wavered from his face.
"All you have to do in return is...bear me an heir."
A/N:DUN DUN DUN, I know that some of you expected this outcome lol